ROA POSITION PAPER

PP 05-01-January 2005

REDUCED RETIREMENT AS AN ENHANCEMENT
TO RESERVE COMPONENT FORCE MANAGEMENT

Congress has supported bills to reduce the age for receipt of military retired pay for Reserve
Components in the 107th Congress and the 108th Congress. As of December 2003, 10 bills were
sponsored and co-sponsored by approximately 180 Senators and Representatives. The retirement
age reduction is one of ROA's top legislative priorities.

The events leading up to America's involvement in World War I resulted in passage of the
National Defense Act of 1916, which created an Officers' and Enlisted Reserve Corps. For the next 30
years, the structure of the Reserve was solidified and equalized, culminating in enactment of
legislation defining training, pay categories and retirement in Public Laws 80-460 and 80-810. Fifty
years later the Reserve Components are still operating under these laws with few significant changes,
even though Reserve participation has increased dramatically.

Although the mix of Reserve and Active Component forces will probably always be in a state
of change as the budget needs of America dictate, the Active Component will not revert to the size it
was during the 1980s. The Reserve forces are no longer just a part-time force but are an integral
contributor to our nation's ability to defend our soil and assist other countries in maintaining global
peace. A good understanding of Reserve contributions is gained when considering voluntary and
involuntary participation in the following:

From 1953­1990 (38 years) the Reserve forces participated in 11 major contingencies and
operations. From 1991­2001 (11 years) the Reserve forces participated in more than 50 major
contingencies and operations.

From 2002­2004 a peak of 223,790 Reserve and Guard members mobilized in support of the
war on terrorism. The Reserve Components now constitutes 40 percent of the current Iraq
force.

Maritime patrol squadrons and Naval Reserve Force frigates are continuously employed in the
war on drugs, according to the chief of the Naval Reserve.
In FY02 the Air Force Reserve met 100 percent of aviation and combat support commitments
with more than 20,700 volunteers overseas and 12,600 stateside, according to the chief of the
Air Force Reserve.
Several reasons support reducing the retirement age for the Reserve Components:
Passing optional reduced retirement, coupled with the removal of the artificial barriers of
mandatory retirement and separation dates, would increase force management options.
A thorough evaluation of ROPMA (Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act) should occur
to identify other ways to increase flexibility in force management.
A "Gray Area Retired Reserve" (individuals who reach their mandatory removal date and do
not receive a retirement annuity) does not present a good business case. Technological
changes and medical advances have allowed most services to move beyond an age-centric
management principle.

The decrease in prior service personnel means that the military will need to increase the
retention of experienced personnel while recognizing the need for part of the force to depart
early enough to maintain the proper balance within each career field.
ROA applauds Congress for taking a strong proactive position to recognize Reserve and
Guard contributions by proposing legislation to bring Reserve retirement in line with other federal
entities.
ROA encourages Congress to continue its strong support of the Reserve Components
by voting on and passing a bill to provide an option for members to receive military retired pay
for non-regular service as early as age 55 after meeting all other retirement requirements.

Robert A. McIntosh
Major General, USAFR (Ret.)
Executive Director




























Reserve Officers Association of the United States
One Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-5655
Toll-Free: (800) 809-9448 ext. 710
Direct: (202) 646-7710
email: slukas@roa.org